Geete settles with Heavy Industries, eyes bigger berth for Sena

Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete, who took charge of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Ministry today, said his party will get “good ministry” in the next Cabinet reshuffle.

He said Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had a “satisfactory” discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the portfolio allocation and the party will get an important ministry when the “Cabinet reshuffle” takes place.

Geete sought to play down the reports that Shiv Sena, the oldest ally of the BJP, was unhappy over being given only one ministerial berth and that too Heavy Industries portfolio in the government.

“This (that I was unhappy) is not true. However, since the party I come from, Shiv Sena, is connected to the people, party chief Uddhav Thackeray expected me to be given a ministry which is connected to the people,” Geete told reporters here.

“Uddhav Thackeray discussed this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today morning. Our discussions have been satisfactory. In the future whenever there is a cabinet reshuffle Shiv Sena will be given a good ministry,” he added.

The Shiv Sena has secured as many as 18 seats in the Lok Sabha, making it the second largest party in the NDA.